MLB Player News

Norris allowed four runs on six hits across two innings of work in Monday's Grapefruit League game against the Red Sox. He struck out two.

It was a rough first start of the spring for Norris, but with little competition around him in Detroit, the lefty should have a pretty firm grip on a rotation spot regardless of how he looks in camp. Norris did have a decent 2019 campaign (4.49 ERA, 1.33 WHIP and 125 strikeouts in 144.1 innings), but his inability to go deep into games limits his fantasy appeal.

Pearson threw two perfect innings against the Pirates on Sunday, striking out three and hitting 100 mph with his fastball, Kaitlyn McGrath of The Athletic reports.

The Jays' top pitching prospect wasn't just facing minor-league scrubs either, as his strikeout victims included Bryan Reynolds and Josh Bell. Pearson has struck out six of the nine batters he's faced this spring and has yet to allow a baserunner, but so far the organization isn't budging from its plan to send him back to Triple-A Buffalo at the end of camp. "He's got to deal in Triple-A first," manager Charlie Montoya said Sunday. If Pearson keeps dominating the Grapefruit League, the clamor to have him begin the year in the big-league rotation will grow louder, but even if he's forced to spend a few more weeks in Buffalo, it seems only a matter of time before he'll force his way onto Toronto's staff.

Barnes is scheduled to make his first Grapefruit League appearance out of the bullpen Monday against the Tigers, Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic reports.

Given that Barnes is already locked in as one of the top setup men for closer Brandon Workman heading into the season, the Red Sox have spent the early portion of spring training evaluating their other relief options who are fighting for spots in the Opening Day bullpen. Barnes' eye-popping strikeout totals over the past two seasons have put him on the fantasy radar, but until he shows the ability to limit free passes (career 10.7 percent walk rate), he won't provide much value in the ERA and WHIP categories.

Manaea started a Cactus League split-squad win over the Indians on Saturday and allowed two earned runs on four hits across three innings. He struck out two.

Manaea was coming off a forgettable Cactus League debut Monday versus the Brewers, one in which he allowed six earned runs across just 1.2 innings. The left-hander had struggled some with the location of his slider, a pitch he's been heavily focused on this offseason and spring. Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports Manaea was much sharper Saturday with the help of a fastball that hit 93 mph on multiple occasions, and due to a grip adjustment suggested to him by pitching coach Scott Emerson during a recent bullpen session, one that turns the slider into a hybrid cutter. Manaea deployed the offering approximately 10 times across his 48 pitches and plans to continue refining it during his remaining exhibition starts. "It's a little bit harder," Manaea said of the new cutter. "I was throwing it at 85 mph and I've never thrown a slider before at 85. It was cool. Really just trying to get where I feel like I have that explosiveness. It was a big step in the right direction."

Alvarado fired a scoreless sixth inning during which he struck out the side and hit a batter in a Grapefruit League loss to the Braves on Saturday.

The reliever had endured a rough landing in his spring debut Wednesday against the Twins, retiring just one batter. That made Saturday's dominant outing, one of the few bright spots in a 12-0 loss for the Rays, a particularly welcome sight. Alvarado threw 18 pitches overall, with 11 finding the strike zone, and Juan Toribio of MLB.com reports the left-hander featured his cutter, sinker and curveball during his one frame. Alvarado's control was appreciably better against Atlanta as well, an important area of focus for him after he posted an 8.1 BB/9 across 35 appearances in 2019.

Swanson (back) is expected to make his Cactus League debut Monday against the Rockies, Greg Johns of MLB.com reports.

Swanson has been able to throw multiple live batting practice sessions in recent days without issue, setting the stage for his spring debut against Colorado. The 25-year-old struggled in his first taste of big-league action last season (5.74 ERA, 2.6 HR/9 across 27 appearances), but with plenty of starting experience under his belt during his time in the minors, he's viewed as a potential multi-inning option out of the bullpen.

Junis will not start Tuesday because of a minor lower back strain, Lynn Worthy of The Kansas City Star reports.

Junis pitched a scoreless frame and notched two strikeouts during Thursday's 4-2 loss against the Brewers. The 27-year-old led the Royals with nine wins last season and will look to improve on a career major-league 4.69 ERA during his fourth campaign in Kansas City.

Wells (oblique) was assigned to minor-league camp Sunday, Roch Kubatko of MASN Sports reports.

Wells earned the invited to big-league camp after posting a 2.95 ERA, 1.07 WHIP and 105:24 K:BB in 24 starts at Double-A Bowie last season, but he was unable to see any Grapefruit League action while battling a sore right oblique. The 23-year-old has resumed bullpen sessions and appears to be progressing toward a return, and he's set to begin the season with Bowie or at Triple-A Norfolk.

Hernandez allowed two runs on three hits and one walk while striking out two in Saturday's Cactus Leage game against the White Sox.

Hernandez hit 100 mph on the gun against his first batter and retired the side quickly before faltering in the second inning. He was predominantly a starter last season at Double-A Frisco, but the 23-year-old threw nine games, mostly in relief, for the Rangers in 2019. A spot in the Rangers' rotation is unlikely, but Hernandez could fill a long-relief role in 2020.

Littell struck out three batters in two scoreless innings in Saturday's spring training loss to Pittsburgh. He has eight strikeouts in five innings this spring with no walks and one earned run allowed.

Littell improved in his second season in the majors last year (2.68 ERA) due to increased velocity (93.8 mph average fastball), reduced walks (6.2%) and keeping the ball in the park (0.97 HR/9). He looks set to secure a role in middle relief.